History of Boston in Timeline
Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts, functioning as a cultural and financial hub for New England. As of 2020, it has a population of 675,647 and an area of 48.4 sq mi, making it the third-largest city in the Northeastern United States, following New York City and Philadelphia. The Greater Boston metropolitan area is the largest in New England and the eleventh-largest in the US, with a population of 4.9 million in 2023.
2 days ago : Boston: Officer fatally shot carjacking suspect after vehicle pursuit in Roxbury.
A Boston police officer fatally shot a suspect linked to a Roxbury carjacking after a vehicle pursuit. The incident stemmed from an attempted carjacking, resulting in injuries. Officials are investigating the event.
1901: Red Sox Founding
In 1901, the Boston Red Sox became a founding member of the American League of Major League Baseball.
1903: First Modern World Series
In 1903, Boston was the site of the first game of the first modern World Series, played between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1903: Team Name
In 1903, reports that the team was known as the "Boston Pilgrims" appear to be unfounded.
July 4, 1911: Record High Temperature
On July 4, 1911, the record high temperature of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded.
1911: Team Name Change
Until 1911, Boston's first professional baseball team was called the Beaneaters.
1912: Fenway Park Opens
In 1912, Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, opened.
1916: MIT Moves to Cambridge in 1916
In 1916, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) moved across the Charles River to Cambridge.
December 30, 1917: Record Cold Daily Maximum
On December 30, 1917, the record cold daily maximum temperature was 2 °F (−17 °C).
September 8, 1923: Logan International Airport Opens
On September 8, 1923, Logan International Airport opened.
February 9, 1934: Record Low Temperature
On February 9, 1934, the record low temperature of −18 °F (−28 °C) was recorded.
November 15, 1934: Kennedy Sr. Speech to Boston Chamber of Commerce
On November 15, 1934, Kennedy Sr. spoke to the Boston Chamber of Commerce, warning about deceptive security sales and potential scams.
November 28, 1942: Cocoanut Grove Fire
On November 28, 1942, Boston's Cocoanut Grove nightclub was the site of the Cocoanut Grove fire, which was the deadliest nightclub fire in United States history.
1952: Braves Move
After the 1952 season, the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee.
1953: Columbia Point Public Housing Complex Built
In 1953, the massive Columbia Point public housing complex was built.
1957: Boston Redevelopment Authority Established
In 1957, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) was established.
1957: Lowest Temperature
On February 4, 2023, the temperature dipped down to −10 °F (−23 °C), the lowest temperature reading in Boston since 1957.
1958: West End Neighborhood Project
In 1958, BRA initiated a project to improve the historic West End neighborhood, resulting in extensive demolition.
1960: Patriots Founded
In 1960, the New England Patriots were founded as the Boston Patriots.
1965: Columbia Point Health Center Opens
In 1965, the Columbia Point Health Center opened in the Dorchester neighborhood and became the first Community Health Center in the United States.
1966: Braves Move to Atlanta
Since 1966, the Braves have played in Atlanta as the Atlanta Braves.
1971: Patriots Move to Foxborough
In 1971, the New England Patriots relocated to suburban Foxborough.
1974: Desegregation Busing Conflict
Starting in 1974, the city experienced conflict over desegregation busing, leading to unrest and violence around public schools.
1974: Summers Where Dew Point Topped Out
The summers where the yearly maximum dew point topped out at 71 °F (22 °C) were in 1974.
August 2, 1975: Record Warm Daily Minimum
On August 2, 1975, the record warm daily minimum temperature was 83 °F (28 °C).
1982: Summers Where Dew Point Topped Out
The summers where the yearly maximum dew point topped out at 71 °F (22 °C) were in 1982.
July 1983: Logan Airport's month of warmest daily maximums
In July 1983, Logan Airport experienced the month of the warmest daily maximums, with an average of 87.2 °F (30.7 °C).
1984: Columbia Point Redevelopment Begins
From 1984 to 1990, the Columbia Point complex was redeveloped and revitalized into a mixed-income residential development called Harbor Point Apartments.
1990: High murder rate in Boston in 1990
In 1990, Boston had 152 murders, with a murder rate of 26.5 per 100,000 people.
1990: Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center Rededication
In 1990, the Columbia Point Health Center was rededicated as the Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center.
1991: Central Artery/Tunnel Project
From 1991 to 2007, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project was underway in downtown and South Boston.
1991: The Improper Bostonian Publication Start
In 1991, The Improper Bostonian, a glossy lifestyle magazine, was first published.
1993: The Boston Globe Acquired by The New York Times
In 1993, The Boston Globe was acquired by The New York Times.
1996: Jamaica Plain and Logan Airport Temperature Records
In 1996, Jamaica Plain's yearly maximum temperature reached 93 °F (34 °C), while Logan Airport's lowest yearly maximum temperature was 91 °F (33 °C).
1999: Significant drop in murders in Boston in 1999
In 1999, murders in Boston decreased to 31, resulting in a murder rate of 5.26 per 100,000 people.
2000: Boston becomes majority-minority city
In 2000, non-Hispanic Whites made up 49.5% of Boston's population, marking the first time the city became majority minority.
August 10, 2001: Record High Dew Point
On August 10, 2001, the record high dew point of 79 °F (26 °C) was recorded.
2001: Patriots Super Bowl Win
After the 2001 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
2001: Winter Temperatures
The winter of 2001-2002 recorded only two days entirely below freezing, with no day with a daily maximum temperature below 29 °F (−2 °C).
2002: Winter Temperatures
The winter of 2001-2002 recorded only two days entirely below freezing, with no day with a daily maximum temperature below 29 °F (−2 °C).
2003: Patriots Super Bowl Win
After the 2003 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
2004: Patriots Super Bowl Win
After the 2004 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
2004: FleetBoston Financial Acquired
In 2004, FleetBoston Financial was acquired by Charlotte-based Bank of America.
2004: Patriots and Red Sox Championships
In 2004, both the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox won championships.
2006: The Rainbow Times Founded
In 2006, The Rainbow Times, a minority and lesbian-owned LGBT news magazine, was founded.
2006: Non-Hispanic Whites regain slight majority in Boston
In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that non-Hispanic Whites again formed a slight majority of Boston's population.
2007: Central Artery/Tunnel Project Completion
From 1991 to 2007, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project was underway in downtown and South Boston.
2007: First Climate Action Plan
In 2007, Boston commissioned its first climate action plan.
2007: Red Sox Championship
In 2007, the Boston Red Sox won a championship.
July 2008: Summer Months without Dewpoints Below 53
Summer in Boston can also see entire months without dewpoints below 53 °F (12 °C), with the most recent occurance being July 2008.
2008: American Community Survey data collection
Data collected was from the American Community Survey's five-year estimates between 2008 and 2012.
2008: Celtics Championship
In 2008, the Boston Celtics won a championship.
2009: Christian Science Monitor Print Edition End
In 2009, The Christian Science Monitor ended publication of daily print editions, switching to continuous online and weekly magazine format publications.
2010: Non-White population rebounds in Boston
By 2010, the non-White population had rebounded in Boston, with non-Hispanic White residents forming 47% of the population.
2010: Catholic Church Adherents in Greater Boston in 2010
In 2010, the Catholic Church had the highest number of adherents as a single denomination in the Greater Boston area, with over two million members.
2010: Boston population census
In 2010, the census saw a 12% population increase by 2020.
July 2011: Entire Months without Nighttime Lows
Boston has recorded entire months in summer without nighttime lows below 63 °F (17 °C), the record previously set in July 2011.
July 2011: Bluebikes Bikeshare Program Launch
In late July 2011, the bikeshare program Bluebikes, originally called Hubway, was launched in Boston.
2011: Climate Action Plan Update
An updated climate action plan was released in 2011.
2011: Ethnic Composition of Boston in 2011
In 2011, African-Americans constituted 22% of Boston's population. Irish descendants formed the second-largest ethnic group at 15.8%, followed by Italians at 8.3%.
2011: Boston population demographics in 2011
In 2011, Boston's population was composed of 21.9% aged 19 and under, 14.3% from 20 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% aged 65 or older, with a median age of 30.8 years.
2011: Median household income in Boston in 2011
In 2011, the median household income in Boston was $51,739, and the median family income was $61,035. There were also significant racial wealth gaps, with White Bostonians having a much higher median net worth compared to Black and Dominican residents.
2011: Tourism Spending in Boston in 2011
In 2011, tourism accounted for a large part of Boston's economy, with 21.2 million visitors spending $8.3 billion.
2012: American Community Survey Data
Data collected for ancestry groups in Boston was based on the American Community Survey's 5-year estimates between 2012 and 2016.
2012: Elizabeth Warren elected to US Senate in 2012
In 2012, Elizabeth Warren was first elected as the state's senior member of the United States Senate.
April 15, 2013: Boston Marathon Bombing
On April 15, 2013, two Chechen Islamist brothers detonated bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring roughly 264.
2013: Philanthropy Rate
As of 2013, Boston households provided the highest average rate of philanthropy in the nation.
2013: Ed Markey elected to US Senate in 2013
In 2013, Ed Markey was elected to the United States Senate to succeed John Kerry after Kerry became the United States Secretary of State.
2013: Renew Boston Incentive Introduced
In 2013, Mayor Thomas Menino introduced the Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive, which reduces the cost of living in energy-efficient buildings.
2013: Research Funding for Boston Institutions in 2013
In 2013, hospitals, universities, and research institutions in Greater Boston received more than $1.77 billion in National Institutes of Health grants.
2013: Chinese American Population in Boston in 2013
In 2013, over 27,000 Chinese Americans resided in Boston city proper.
2013: Red Sox Championship
In 2013, the Boston Red Sox won a championship.
2013: The Boston Globe Resold
In 2013, the acquisition of The Boston Globe by The New York Times was reversed when it was resold to Boston businessman John W. Henry.
2014: Patriots Super Bowl Win
After the 2014 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
2014: Climate Action Plan Update
An updated climate action plan was released in 2014.
2014: Jamaica Plain hits yearly maximum temperature
In 2014, Jamaica Plain's yearly maximum temperature reached 93 °F (34 °C).
2014: International Tourists in Boston in 2014
In 2014, over 1.4 million international tourists visited Boston, with visitors from China and the United Kingdom leading the list.
2015: Jewish Population in Boston Metro Area in 2015
In 2015, the Boston metro area had a Jewish population of approximately 248,000.
2016: Patriots Super Bowl Win
After the 2016 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
2016: American Community Survey Data
Data collected for ancestry groups in Boston was based on the American Community Survey's 5-year estimates between 2012 and 2016.
2016: Household Car Ownership
In 2016, 33.8 percent of Boston households lacked a car, compared with the national average of 8.7 percent. The city averaged 0.94 cars per household, compared to a national average of 1.8.
2016: Boston's Bid for 2024 Summer Olympics
In 2016, Boston briefly shouldered a bid as the U.S. applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but the bid was eventually dropped.
2016: General Electric Announces Move to Boston
In 2016, General Electric announced it would be moving its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to the Seaport District in Boston.
2017: Boston Uprising Established
In 2017, the Overwatch League (OWL)'s Boston Uprising was established.
August 2018: Most Humid Month on Record
August 2018 was recorded as the most humid month with an average dewpoint of 66.8 °F (19.3 °C) for the month.
2018: Patriots Super Bowl Win
After the 2018 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
2018: Patriots and Red Sox Championships
In 2018, both the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox won championships.
2018: Growth of Hispanic communities in Greater Boston in 2018
In 2018, estimates showed significant growth in Hispanic communities in Greater Boston, including 150,000 Dominicans and 134,000 Puerto Ricans.
2018: Boston Ranked 13th Most Competitive Financial Services Center in 2018
In 2018, the Global Financial Centres Index ranked Boston as having the 13th-most competitive financial services center in the world.
April 2019: The Improper Bostonian Publication End
The Improper Bostonian, a glossy lifestyle magazine, was published from 1991 to April 2019.
July 2019: Hottest Month on Record
July 2019 was the hottest month on record with an average mean temperature of 78.7 °F (25.9 °C) for the month.
July 21, 2019: Record Warm Daily Minimum
On July 21, 2019, the record warm daily minimum temperature was 83 °F (28 °C).
September 2019: Launch of Boston Saves Program in September 2019
In September 2019, the city began Boston Saves, providing every child enrolled in kindergarten with a savings account containing $50 for college or career training.
2019: Climate Action Plan
A climate action plan from 2019 anticipates 2 ft (1 m) to more than 7 ft (2 m) of sea-level rise in Boston by the end of the 21st century.
2020: Boston population estimated at 691,531
In 2020, the census estimated Boston had 691,531 residents living in 266,724 households, marking a 12% population increase over 2010.
2020: 2020 Census
In 2020, the census recorded Boston's population as 675,647, making it the third-most populous city in the Northeastern United States.
March 2021: Kim Janey becomes Acting Mayor of Boston
In March 2021, Kim Janey became the Acting Mayor of Boston following Marty Walsh's confirmation as Secretary of Labor.
November 2021: Michelle Wu becomes mayor of Boston
In November 2021, Michelle Wu became mayor of Boston.
2021: Boston Police Department Budget in 2021
In fiscal year 2021, the Boston Police Department received $414 million in funding, the second-largest allocation in the city's budget.
July 2022: Jamaica Plain sets record for warmest daily maximums
In July 2022, Jamaica Plain set a record for the month with the warmest daily maximums, averaging 89.2 °F (31.8 °C). July 2022 also set a record in both Logan Airport and Jamaica Plain with no daily maximum below 79 °F (26 °C) in Jamaica Plain, and 75 °F (24 °C) in Logan Airport for the whole month.
August 2022: Entire Months without Nighttime Lows
Boston has recorded entire months in summer without nighttime lows below 63 °F (17 °C), the record most recently tied in August 2022.
2022: Boston Crime Statistics
In 2022, Boston reported 3,955 violent crimes and 11,514 property crimes according to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. The city's violent crime rate was 608.7 per 100,000 people, and the property crime rate was 1,772.0 per 100,000 people.
February 4, 2023: Lowest Temperature Since 1957
On February 4, 2023, the temperature dipped down to −10 °F (−23 °C), the lowest temperature reading in Boston since 1957.
2023: Biotechnology Hub
As of 2023, Boston emerged as the largest biotechnology hub in the world.
2023: 2023 Population
In 2023, the Greater Boston metropolitan statistical area had a population of 4.9 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in New England and the eleventh-largest in the United States.
2023: Religious Affiliation in Boston in 2023
In a 2023-24 study by the Pew Research Center, 47% of Boston's population identified as Christians, while 40% claimed no religious affiliation.
2023: Winter Temperatures
The winter of 2023-2024 saw the yearly minimum temperature not falling below 14 °F (−10 °C) that winter.
2024: Sports Championships
As of 2024, Boston's professional sports teams have won a total of 40 championships, with the Celtics winning a championship in 2024.
2024: Walk Score Ranking
As of 2024, Walk Score ranks Boston as the third most walkable U.S. city, with a Walk Score of 83, a Transit Score of 72, and a Bike Score of 69.
2024: PWHL Boston in Walter Cup Finals
During the inaugural 2024 PWHL playoffs, PWHL Boston (now known as the Boston Fleet) made it to the Walter Cup finals, but lost to PWHL Minnesota (then known as the Minnesota Frost).
2024: Boston's Bid for 2024 Summer Olympics
In 2016, Boston briefly shouldered a bid as the U.S. applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but the bid was eventually dropped.
2024: Winter Temperatures
The winter of 2023-2024 saw the yearly minimum temperature not falling below 14 °F (−10 °C) that winter.
June 24, 2025: Last 100°F Reading
The last 100 °F (38 °C) reading occurred on June 24, 2025.
2026: Boston to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches
Boston is one of eleven U.S. cities which will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with games taking place at Gillette Stadium.
2028: Los Angeles Secures 2028 Summer Olympics
In 2016, Los Angeles secured the right to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.
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